Month: July 2014

Thirty-three year old Shea Rigsby lives and breathes football in Walker Texas, and had been a super fan all of her life. She grew up in this very town alongside her best friend Lucy Carr, whose father was the Head Coach for the Walker Team, and whose mother Connie was good friends with Shea’s mom.

When tragedy hits the Carr family, Shea finds her world turning upside down. She starts to wonder about the feelings she is having for a man…. a man who just happens to be the father of her best friend.

I have read and enjoyed author Emily Giffin’s fun style of writing in the past. Her characters are usually light and fun, and you know what fun you are in for with her books.

The one and Only is a different style for Emily Giffin. At least, I should say, from what I have read of her books. The One and Only dealt with a topic that I personally struggled with, and no, I don’t mean football. 😉

I had a hard time connecting with the book and the characters. As a protagonist, I never connected with Shea, there was not much to her beyond football. I don’t mind football books, but I never felt a connection to Shea or any of the characters for that matter.

The book is a fair read and I did finish it as I was curious about how it all would end. I listened to it on audio. The narrator, Sophia Willingham was a great voice for the story and I enjoyed her narration.

Thursday! It has been a beautiful week here in Central Minnesota. It is my favorite time of year! Today I am in the office and feeling energized. Later I plan to mow the lawn and if you follow these posts… you know I love to mow the lawn! (It’s true – I really do!)

Author Terri Peterson Smith and her book, Off The Beaten Path

Fun story. Earlier this year Author Terri Peterson Smith contacted me about our event, Wine and Words. Our event already had the authors lined up but I really liked the sound of her book and directed her to contact my Vice-Chair in The Friends Group about being a part of the Brown Bag Author Line Up. I am thrilled to say that it worked out for her to come and speak, which she did a couple of Mondays ago.

Terri’s book is about grabbing your friends and taking a literary trip. It really is a book for book lovers. I loved that Terri mentioned in her talk that book groups are now seeking out that next level to reading the book… they want to taste the food that the characters have, they want to see and touch and feel – almost making the books three-dimensional. Terri provides that in her book, Off The Beaten Page.

Inspired by “field trips” with the author’s own book club, Off The Beaten Page offers a literary look at fifteen U.S. destinations as seen through the works of famous writers. No plodding tour of dead people’s homes; award-winning journalist Terri Peterson Smith takes readers on a lively tour of some of the most fascinating places in the U.S., combining her love of literature and her quest for a good time with friends. Her inspired explorations and meticulous research combine to help readers not only extend the experience of a great book but also to gain a greater understanding of the people and culture in the places they travel.

Terri was a lot of fun to meet in person. She has a fun bubbly personality which I felt made her perfect to write about bookish adventures such as where to find the house in St Paul Minnesota that F Scott Fitzgerald finished his book “This Side Of Paradise”. Terri’s book cover 15 US locations for literary trips for you and your group.

It was a real pleasure to hang out with Terri Peterson Smith. I have been reading her book this week and love the ideas it sparks about literary trips. I am hopeful she will write a follow-up book… I am hopeful she invites me along on these trips to help her with her research. 😉 Hey, a girl can dream.

How is your Thursday shaping up? I need to get into the office soon, I already have a list of things building up in my head of the “to do’s” for today. It is funny how that happens. 🙂

Good Morning! Happy Wednesday! (Is it crazy that I had to pause there and think what day it was?) Yesterday was my first real full day of feeling like I was moving into my new role. I have home space set up, and made a commitment to be in it. I actually had time to open up a packet of papers that were given to me in mid June as research for my manuscript I am revising. They have been sitting in the library since they were handed to me and are now in the office and I spent time yesterday reviewing them and making notes. It was a good feeling.

Author Johnathan Friesen

This past Monday we had an exciting author at the Brainerd Public Library. Author Johnathan Friesen (pronounced “free-zen”) spoke at our library about his books, and read from his most recent book, Mayday (LOVE the cover!)

I had never read or listened to Johnathan Friesen before and I for one was excited to have him at the library as a YA author. He started out with sharing a very powerful story about his childhood and Tourette’s syndrome. I think most of the room was in tears – and then he turned it around into his passion for writing. At this stage in my life, what he said really resonated with me. He spoke with intelligence and I found myself scribbling on a napkin (I know, I know, you would think I would be more prepared!) to capture some of the things he said…

…and when she left my room, she took something with her. Almost like a magnet it stuck to the back of her shirt…. when she left, the hate I had felt for myself left with her. ~ Johnathan Friesen

Johnathan was a delightful speaker! He was animated and funny and can really channel his inner child! While he spoke about each of his books I found myself trying to choose which I wanted to read, they all in one way or another spoke to me. His book Jerk California is about a boy with Tourette’s. This Schneider Family Book Award winner changed the face of Tourette’s Syndrome for modern teens.

When the event was over, the crowd of 44 people gathered around to but his books. I always wait to be last to make sure everyone has the opportunity to pick up the books that they want. I left this event with:

If you ever have the chance to hear Johnathan speak, I highly recommend you do. I was very impressed with his style and look forward to digging into his books!

Social Worker Ellen Moore is awaken from her warm deep sleep to take a call that brought her full attention to the true cold dark world that surrounded her. A woman’s body was found in the park next to the statue of Leto, the Goddess of Motherhood. More disturbing, the woman’s 4-year-old son was next to his dead mother, cold and alone. Much like a case that took place thirteen years earlier with another mother, and another child in the same spot. Ellen leaves the warmth of her husband’s side and quietly walks by each of her three children’s rooms to go to the scene of the crime.

Ellen’s job is to take care of the child, but she can not help but wonder what the connections are to the past. You never know when you are playing it safe, or when you may find yourself confronted by a killer who knows you are getting a little too close to the truth for comfort.

I recently read and reviewed Heather Gudenkauf’s book Little Mercies which also is about protagonist Ellen Moore and a case involving child endangerment. I enjoyed that book very much and was interested in this novella prequel with the main characters that I had enjoyed so much previously.

While I enjoyed the case and the story line, I was reminded once again why I do not usually engage in these prequels. They place too much in the pages too fast, which I understand is the way it needs to be in a 400 page novella. I think this would have made a wonderful full size book, there was plenty of good content to make it so.

If you enjoy Heather Gudenkauf’s writing and do not mind the occasional short story with great characters, this would be a book I would recommend. Powerful storyline, just a little quick on the wrap up for me.

Another beautiful day is appearing here in Central Minnesota. I love sitting at my table and looking out the window while I write in the mornings, catch up on emails, and prep for my day.

This week kicks off new rhythms to my day and I am working on setting new habits and treating my now “stay at home” job, as a “get up, get ready, and go” job. In other words – I have a set time to get to work which is now in a downstairs office, and takes me about 30 seconds to get to. I know as time goes on I will probably loosen the reigns as I figure out what works best for me and still allowing me to put in the time I need to so the deadlines are met; but for now.. this is the training period and I enjoy the discipline of the consistency.

Yesterday, Justin was in town, that College boy who is now my Graduated boy. We had lunch together, caught up and then came back to the house where he helped me set up the desk in my office. I bought a desk last fall from a friend and have left it set in pieces for the last 8 months. The pieces were too large to put together on my own and Al and I never committed to putting it together. It was in the spare room and out of sight… out of mind. 🙂

Here are pics of what it looked like put together:

There is the basic shell of the office. I need some pictures on the wall and some personal effects, but it is enough of an office to get me excited about going out and buying pretty pens, yellow note pads and files for the filing cabinet. (It doesn’t take much to make me happy! 😀 )

Reading and even listening to audio have taken a back burner lately but I listened to audio last night as I set up the office and I have it on this morning so hopefully I am around the corner on that dry spell.

Hope your Tuesday is wonderful! Any new adventures out there you are starting? Any advice from those of you who write at home or have jobs that allow you to work from home?

I love being a part of this and I hope you do too! As part of this weekly meme I love to encourage you all to go and visit the others participating in this meme. Fair warning… this meme tends to add to your reading list!

Late one coming up tonight… busy weekend and came home this afternoon to a bit of a yard mess, apparently while we were away someone ran off the road yesterday, took out our mailbox and a few trees on the edge of our property.

Ugh… what a week. Apparently I posted pretty much nothing. Hopefully this week will be a better one. I am on the verge of a couple of audio books ending and I did finish a book tonight. July has turned out to be just a hard month all around and my focus has been off.

Here are my plans for this week:

For My Ears:

Currently I am listening to two different audio books and both are dragging. 😦 The one in the car is almost over and I will then tune in to:

When high school senior Paul Wagoner walks into his school library with a stolen gun, he threatens his girlfriend Emily Beam, then takes his own life. In the wake of the tragedy, an angry and guilt-ridden Emily is shipped off to boarding school in Amherst, Massachusetts, where she encounters a ghostly presence who shares her name. The spirit of Emily Dickinson and two quirky girls offer helping hands, but it is up to Emily to heal her own damaged self.

I hope this one is good… I am a bit concerned that it is written in verse and prose…. we will see.

For My Eyes:

I am still reading California. I don’t think it is the book – I think it is me…. I am just not focusing and it is s-l-o-w going. Onward! 🙂

Always let the meat rest under foil for at least ten minutes before carving… Meet Lizzie Prain. Ordinary housewife. Fifty-something. Lives in a cottage in the woods, with her dog Rita. Likes cooking, avoids the neighbours. Runs a little business making cakes. No one has seen Lizzie’s husband, Jacob, for a few days. That’s because last Monday, on impulse, Lizzie caved in the back of his head with a spade. And if she’s going to embark on the new life she feels she deserves after thirty years in Jacob’s shadow, she needs to dispose of his body. Her method appeals to all her practical instincts, though it’s not for the faint-hearted.

Ok somebody reviewed this in recent months… Kathy was it you? I thought it sounded funny – plus it might scare Al. 😉

and if all goes well….

Off The Beaten Page encourages avid readers, particularly those in book clubs and in other groups, to leave the security of their living rooms and seek to experience in person the places they’ve read about. Inspired by years of excursions with her own book club, award-winning journalist Terri Peterson Smith offers lively, expert guidance through fifteen US destinations ideal for anyone eager to mix their love of travel and quality time with friends or family with their desire for meaningful cultural experiences.

I have been chatting with author Terri Peterson Smith for a few months now and she spoke at our library last week. She is fun and full of energy and she makes you want to pack your bag and have what she is having! Cant wait to dig in!

This week is one that you would think would be a little quieter for me as I just left my job of 10+ years… but no… it’s actually a CRAZY week. Today I am trying to complete setting up my home office (the desk is a pain in the butt!), and I have an author at the Library I need to introduce and then College Son is in town so we are meeting for lunch and hanging out this afternoon and catching up – I have not seen him since May when he graduated.

Tuesday I plan to be using the office I am working so hard to finish today and breaking out that manuscript that has sat around for far too long. Tuesday evening I have our last Wine and Words meeting where we will walk off the site and lay out the final plans.

Wednesday and Thursday should be mainly in the office (I am trying to set up a routine and not break from it), and one of those evenings I need to connect with a friend of mine who had a birthday last week.

Friday, at some point I am leaving for Wisconsin with friends to do the mud run for MS on Saturday morning… then I am back to Brainerd Saturday afternoon and go directly to Camp Benedict to participate in the 2nd day of the AIDS ride, the first time in 5 years that I have missed part of this but had a double commitment.

Yup, this week is wild but next week should hopefully start to feel a bit more normal and not as much going on next week during the days.

Please add your link below to what you are reading and what you hope to be reading this next week,

Good morning! Happy Saturday. I have some fun pics to post from last weekends bike ride for todays Saturday Snapshot. My friend Amy and I try to do the Tour Of Saints every year. It is a 50 mile bike ride that takes places in St Joseph Minnesota, a beautiful little town about an hour and 15 minutes from where we live.

Normally, by the time we do this ride in July we have a few rides in for the season… not this year. We have both been so busy that the first time I was on my bike this year was the night before the ride when I took it a couple of miles down the road and back to make sure it was riding smooth.

So… off we went:

This above pic is at the first pit stop. We were a little over 11 miles in, it was already becoming WARM out and there was some annoying wind happening.

The next pit stop was at mile 25 and by this time it was HOT but the direction we were going was with the wind to our backs so it was a nicer leg of the ride and we were feeling pretty optimistic.

Just about every year I brag about the fruit on this ride. They always have beautiful strawberries. This year for me it was more about the grapes (which were delicious!) and of course, I did not take a picture of.

This fun little straw (twig?) house was here last year too. It is pretty cool. Last year we walked through it but this year we just stopped and took a couple of pictures and took off again, the wind was once again in our face.

The last 20 miles of the ride were tough. It was pretty wide open fields we were riding by and the sun was baking us like ants under a magnifying glass. Between the sun and the wind we were moving pretty slow and by the time we were done we were really DONE.

It is always a good time but it was a tough ride this year probably also because we had not trained… but we are stubborn so we did it. 😀